Mining machine



States [72] Inventor Charles R. Hughes Buckhorn Road RD, Altoona, Pa. 16601 [21] Appl.No. 851,366

[22] Filed Aug. 19, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [54] MINING MACHINE 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 299/71, 299/64, 299/72 [51] Int. Cl E21c 27/24 [50] Field ofSearch 299/64, 68,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,570,400 10/1951 Stein 299/72 3,210,123 10/1965 Delli-Gatti 299/71X 3,290,096 12/1966 Stalker 299/78 Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Altorney- Emory L. Groff and Emory L. Groff, Jr.

ABSTRACT: A frame has a pair of independently operable booms supported at two forward corners thereof. Each boom is mounted for pivotal movement about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A cutting head support means is supported by each boom for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis with respect to the associated boom. Each cutting head support means comprises a pair of concentric cylinders, the inner cylinder being slidable longitudinally of the outer cylinder and being rotatable with respect to the outer cylinder. Each cutting head is carried at the outer end of an associated inner cylinder and includes a pair of cutting wheels at opposite sides thereof, each cutting wheel having cutting bits carried thereby.

PATENIED [15229 I976 SHEET 1 OF 3 mvm'mn CHARLES R HUGHES ATTORNEY PAIENTED [ED291970 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG.2.

mv ENTOR CHARLES R. HUGHES ATTORNEY MINING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mining machine, and

l more particularly to a mining machine particulary adapted for ing machine of the present invention is of the type which is adapted to reach across a conveyor mechanism to enable the mining operation to be carried out without interfering with the operation of the conveyor. Theconveyor may comprise a transverse conveyor angularly and longitudinally adjustable with respect to the frame of the mining machine.

In the prior art, continuous miningmachines utilize various arrangements for directing the fragmented material toward the conveyor. Some use scoops to direct the loose material, some depend upon the rotation of the cutting elements to throw the loose material before the conveyor, and others depend upon gravity to cause the loose material to fall upon or before the conveyor. In the aforementioned U.S. Pat, a scrolltype cutting elementis provided adjacent the conveyor through the action of which loose coal is deposited upon the limited.

Summary of the Invention In the present invention, a frame has a pair of booms independently mounted at two forward corners thereof, the angular disposition of the booms being adjustable withrespect to the frame. The booms are each mounted for pivotal movement about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, suitable power operating means being provided for adjusting the position of the booms.

A cutting head support means is supported by each boom for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a horizontal axis, power-operating means being provided for selectively controlling the position of the cutting head support means.

Each cutting head support means includes a pair of concentric cylinders, the inner cylinder being slidable longitudinally with respect to the outer cylinder and also being rotatable with respect thereto. Power-operating means is also provided for moving the inner cylinder with respect to the outer cylinder.

A cutting head is carried at the outer end of the inner cylinder, this cutting head having a motor supported thereby. One or more cutting wheels is supported by the cutting head and is driven by said motor. Each of these cutting wheels is mounted for rotationabout an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the associated cutting head support means. Each cutting wheel carries a plurality of cutting bits, and the direction of rotation of the cutting wheels can be controlled by operation of the associated drive motor.

With the machine of the present invention, the cutting wheel or wheels can be positioned at the top, bottom or inter. mediate portion .of a coal seam. The cutting wheels supported on the two booms can be rotated either in the same of opposite directions. The cutting means on one boom can cut at the top of the seam, while the cutting means on the other boom can cut at the bottoni of the seam, The cutting means on the two separate booms can cut simultaneously or singly in one direction. The pair of cutting wheels on one boom can cut a horizontal kerf while the pair of cutting wheels on the other boom can shear or cut circles at any place in the coalse am within reach. The cutting means on the two booms can'cut in either direction by turning the heads upside down.

The ability to extend the reach by sliding the inner concentric cylinder of the cutting head support means outwardly inwithin the limits of extension of the inner cylinder of the cutting head support means and further within the limits of swinging movement of the associated booms on their vertical and horizontal pivot axes.

With the cutting wheels disposed horizontally, the-booms can be swung to cut horizontal kerfs at the top of a coal seam, or the cutting wheels can be turned upside down and the booms swung in the opposite direction to cut horizontal kerfs at the bottom of the coal seam. Cuts can be made horizontally, vertically, on a slant, in circles, on an are or in a straight line by combining arcuate swinging of the booms along with extension and contraction of the inner cylinder of the cutting head support means.

The frame is also movable in all directions in the plane of its base as shown for example in the aforementioned U.S. Patent thereby providing a maximum amount of adjustment in use.

. The mining machineof the present invention enables the mining of all of the coal between the top and bottom of a coal seam. All of the loose coal fragmented by the cutting elements can be gathered up by an associated conveyor, and'the cutter and conveyor can function independently of one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS stantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 taken-at thereto;

FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the manner in which the corner of the frame can be raised above the supporting surface;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section through a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view. taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. I looking in the direction of'the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding; parts throughout the several views, the mining machine includes a frame indicated As is usual, in mining machines, a suitable prime mover is supported by the frame, the prime mover being preferably an electric motor which is connected with a master fluid motor forthe generation of fluid pressure for use in the various fluid .ioperatedicomponents of the machine. The master fluid motor is corine'ctedwith a suitable fluid reservoir from whence fluid pressure is directed to the various fluid operated components through conventional control valve means. The prime mover is also suitably connected by mechanical means with live rope drums carrying coils of rope for the propulsion of the frame in the plane of its base.

As seen in FIG. 1, a pair of booms 12 and 14 are mounted at two forward. corners of the frame, these two booms being of substantially identical construction, and the support means therefor being mirror images of one another. Accordingly, boom means 12 and the components associated therewith are described hereinafter, similar parts of boom 14 being given the same reference numerals primed.

Boom 12 includes a pair of spaced parallel plates 20 the inner ends of which are pivotally supported by trunnions 22 extending outwardly from a vertically extending cylindrical -sleeve 24 which is supported for rotation about a vertically extending member 26. Member 26 is supported between brackets 28 and 30 extending laterally from frame 10. In this manner, the boom is mounted for pivotal movement about both a horizontal and a vertical axis.

A yoke 34 isattached to sleeve 22 and extends laterally outwardly thereof. A pin 36 is carried at the top end of the yoke and is pivotally connected with a piston 38 slidably mounted within a cylinder 40 forming a hydraulic ram means of conventional construction. Cylinder 40 is in turn pivotally connected with a pin 42 secured between boom members 20. This hydraulic ram means is adapted to swing the boom in a verticalplane about the axes of tru nnions 22. A plate 46 rests on the top of frame of the machine and is pivota'llymounted for movement in a horizontal plane about member 26. Plate 46 includes a vertical flange portion 48 as seen most clearly in FIG. 9 which is slidable in an arcuate groove 50 formed in the upper surface of the frame. A hydraulic clamp 52 is provided for engaging flange 48 to clamp plate 46 in fixed relationship with respect to the plane. The position of plate 46 may be adjusted as desired by releasing the clamp and moving plate 46 to the desired position whereupon the clamp can be reengaged with flange '48 ofthe plate.

A ball and socket joint 56 is secured to the forward edge of plate 46 and is connected with a piston 58 which is slidably disposed within a cylinder 60forming a hydraulic ram means for operating the boom in a horizontal plane. Cylinder 60 is interconnected with the boom bya ballahd socket joint 62. It is apparent that a combination of'rotatio n of plate 46 and expansion and contraction of the hydraulic ram means enables the boom to be rotated about the axis of pin 26 in a horizontal plane through relatively wide angles with respect to the frame.

A cutting head support means includes an outer cylinder 70. This outer cylinder has trunnions 72 extending from opposite sides thereof, these trunnions being supported for rotation in suitable holes provided in plates 20 of the boom whereby the cutting head support means is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis with respectito the boom.

A pair of ears 74 extend downwardlyv from the rear end of cylinder 70 and a pin 76 is supported between these ears. This pin 76 is pivotally connected with the cylinder 78 of a hydraulic rarn means. A piston 80 is slidably mounted within cylinder 78 and is pivotally connected with a pin 82 supported between members 84 and extending upwardly from members 20 of the boom.

Operation of this last-mentioned hydraulic ram means enables the cutting head support means to be swung in a vertical plane with respect to the boom means about the axis of trunnions 72.

The cutting head support means includes an inner cylinder 90 which is disposed concentrically with respect to the outer cylinder, this inner cylinder being slidable longitudinally of the outer cylinder and also being rotatable with respect thereto. Inner cylinder 91) supports'a cutter head 92 at the outer end thereof as seen most clearly in-FIG. 1. This cutter head has supported therein drive means in the form of a fluid motor 94 having shafts 96 extending from opposite ehds thereofrthese shafts being supported within suitable bearingsmoun tedgin the cutting head. 1 f

Each of shafts 96 is connected with adisclike-cutting wheel 98 having a plurality of cutting :bits 100 carried thereby.'lt will be noted that the axes of 'shafts 96 extend substantiallyiperpendicular to the axis of thef'cuttin'g head support means. While a pair of cutting wheels are diselosedas'being supported at opposite sides of the cutting heaithi'only one cutting wheel may be employed if so desired. w;

Fluid for operating fluid motor 94 is supplied through a pair of concentric spaced conduits and 112 which extend con centrically within cylinders 70 and 90. Since the source of supply of fluid is fixed with respect to. the rotatable inner cylinder 90 and the cutting head supported thereby, a. stuffing box arrangement is provided to permit rotation of conduits 110 and 112.

As seen in FIG. 8, a ring 114 is shrunk-onto the .outer surface of conduit .112, and a generally cup-shaped sleeve 116 has a central hole 118 receiving conduit.112, the sleeve being slipped over ring 114. A packing 120 is provided for forming a seal, this packing being disposed adjacentrjng 114 and within sleeve 116. l

A second cup-shaped sleeve 124 has a portion 126 which fits within sleeve 116, sleeve 116 having internal threads formed thereon and portion 126 having external threads formed thereon, whereby the packing is compressed to provide a seal with the outer surface of conduit 11-2. A conduit 128 secured to sleeve 124 is connected with a suitable source offluid pressure.

A ring 130 is shrunk onto the outer surface of conduit 110 and is received within a groove 132 formed in the inner portion of sleeve 124. A packing 134 is also disposed in the groove and is disposed adjacent ring 130 so that the packing can be compressed when sleeve 124 is threaded into sleeve 116 to provide an effective seal with the outer surface of conduit 110.

A further ring is shrunk on the outer surface of conduit 110. A generally cup-shaped sleeve 142 has a central hole 144 formed therein for receiving conduit 110. A packing 146 is disposed within sleeve 142 adjacent ring 140.

A cup-shaped end cap 150 has a portion 152 fitting within sleeve 142. Portion 152 has external threads formed thereon, and sleeve 142 has internal threads formed thereon whereby cap 150 may be threaded into the position illustrated in FIG. 8 to compress packing 146 and form a seal with the outer surface of conduit 110. A conduit 154 connected with end cap 150 is in communication with a suitable source of fluid pressure.

Inner cylinder 90 includes an integral radially inwardly extending portion at the inner end thereof, this portion having a central hole therethrough receiving conduit 112. Internal ring gear teeth 162 are formed about an annular recess form ed in portion 160. A cap 164 is held in. place on portion 160 by fastening elements 166 such as capscrews, member 164 also having an annular recess therein and including internal ring gear teeth 168 former thereabout for a purpose hereinafter described.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the means for rotating the inner cylinder 90 with respect to the surrounding cylinder 70 includes a pair of fluid motors 170 each of which has a radially outwardly directed key 172 fitting with an elongated groove formed in the inner surface of outer cylinder 70. This construction enables motors 170 to slide longitudinally with respect to the outer cylinder, but the motors are prevented from turning with respect thereto.

Each of motors 170 is connected by a conduit 174 with a suitable source of fluid pressure, conduits 1'74 extending through suitable holes provided in an end wall 176 secured to outer cylinder 70.

Each of motors 170 includes an output shaft 180 extending through holes formed in cap 164 and having pinions 182 thereon. These pinions are in mesh with the internal ring gear teeth 162 and 168 to provide a driving connection with inner cylinder 90. Accordingly, when pinions 182 are rotated upon actuation of motors 170, cylinder 90 will rotate with respect to the surrounding cylinder 70.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the means for moving inner cylinder 90 longitudinally with respect to the outer cylinder 70 includes a pair of hydraulic ram means including cylinders 190, these two cylinders being disposed 180 apart and at positions located 90 from each of the motors 170 previously described. Pistons 192 which are slidable with cylinders 190 have one end thereof fixedly secured to the end wall 176 of outer cylinder 70.

Each of cylinders 190 includes a reduced portion 194 extending through a hole formed in cap- 164, "reduced portion 194 having an enlarged mushroom head 196 mounted thereon and fitting snugly within the annular space which receives pinions 182. It is apparent that actuation of this last-mentioned hydraulic ram means will cause inner cylinder 90 to be reciprocated longitudinally with respect to the surrounding outer cylinder 70.

A key 200 extends radially outwardly of each of cylinders 190 and is received within a longitudinally extending groove formed in the inner surface of cylinder 70 whereby cylinders 190 are adapted to slide longitudinally with respect to the outer cylinders but are prevented from turning with respect thereto. a

Means is provided for selectively raising each corner of the machine, and comprises an adjustable jack. As seen in FIG. 7, a hollow sleeve 210 is fixedly secured to bracket member 28 which in turn is attached to the frame. A hydraulic ram means includes a cylinder 212. A piston 214 isslidable within the cylinder and has the upper end thereof pivotally connected with a pin 216. Pin 216 is supported between a pair of ears 218 fixed to and depending from bracket member 30. It is apparent that by operating this latter hydraulic ram means, one corner of the machine can be lifted as desired.

lclaim:

1. A mining machine comprising a frame, a boom supported by said frame for pivotal movement with respect to the frame about a vertical axis and also being mounted for pivotal movementwith respect to the frame about a horizontal axis, power operating means for moving said boom relative to said frame, elongated cutting head support means having'a longitudinal axis and being supported on said boom and mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis with respect to said boom, power-operating means for moving said cutting head support means, a cutting head mounted at the outer end of said cutting head support means, said cutting head including a pair of spaced cutting wheels rotatably supported thereof and lying in planes extending substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis, said cutting wheels each carrying a plurality of cutting bits, and drive means for driving said cuttingwheels including drive shaft means extending substantially normally-to said cutting wheels and to said longitudinal axis, and means for turning said drive wheels so as to angularly displace said drive shaft means in a plane extending substantially normally to said longitudinal axis.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a motor mounted at the outer end of said cutting head support means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting head support means includes a pair of concentric cylinders including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a pair of booms supported by said frame, said booms. being independently operable and being independently angularly adjustable with respect to said frame.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said booms are supported at two forward corners of said frame.

6, A mining machine comprising a frame, a boom supported by said frame for pivotal movement with res ect to the frame a out a vertical axis and also being mounted or pivotal movement with respect to the frame about a horizontal axis, power operating means for moving said boom relative to said frame, cutting head support means supported onsaid boom and mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis with respect to said boom, power operating means for moving said cutting head support means, a cutting head mounted at the outer end of said cutting head support means, said cutting head having at least one cutting element rotatably supported thereon, said cutting element carrying a plurality of cutting bits, and drive means for driving said cutting element, said cutting head support means comprising a pair of concentric cylinders including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, said inner cylinder being slidable longitudinally of said outer cylinder for extension longitudinally thereof, and means for sliding said inner cylinder longitudinally of said outer cylinder.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said inner cylinder is rotatable with respect to said outer cylinder, and means for rotating said inner cylinder with respect to said outer cylinder.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said drive means comprises a fluid operated motor mounted at the outer end of said inner cylinder, and conduit means extending through said concentric cylinders for providing fluid pressure to said fluid operated motor. 

